“Not in my house,” Bethany Anne replied offhand. “I keep waiting for them to rebel, but I can’t see it happening.”
Jean made a face. “Yeah, well, your two are too busy blowing each other up to do much rebelling.” She grinned. “I’d better get back in there before they set something on fire just to round the day out. But I’ll talk to John. It’s been too quiet around the house. It will be good to have a change of location.”
Bethany Anne lifted a shoulder as Jean walked back to the workroom. “The guys are next on my list.”
Jean waved over her shoulder. “Then you’ll save me the task of telling him.”
With that, she disappeared around the corner, and a second later Bethany Anne heard her yelling instructions once again.
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Rec Room Beta
Bethany Anne strolled in on the final throes of an arm wrestling match between John and Eric. “I challenge the winner,” she announced as she went over to them.
Eric lost his focus for the briefest of seconds and yelled when John tilted his wrist and slammed his hand down on the table. He opened his mouth to complain, but got up from the chair and gestured for Bethany Anne to take his place instead. “All yours, boss.”
He smirked as Bethany Anne sat down and took John’s offered hand. “Sucks to be you,” he teased.
Bethany Anne adjusted her elbow on the table to get a comfortable grip. “I didn’t actually come down here to play ‘who can piss the farthest.’”
John’s eyes crinkled slightly. “We know. We’re heading out to stop the Ooken.” He chuckled, “But sure, I’m willing to bet I can go farther.”
Bethany Anne tightened her grip and applied enough pressure to prevent John from using his dirty trick on her. “How the fuck does news travel around this place faster than I do?”
Darryl shrugged. “Peter called as soon as you left.”
“He wanted to give us time to absorb it before you got here,” John explained in a low voice. The muscle in his jaw twitched.
Bethany Anne winked at him and increased the pressure a touch. “I’ll understand if any of you want to stay out of this.”
Scott dragged the back of his hand over his forehead. “Thank fuck for that. It would have been so boring to take your freaking awesome new ships out for a spin.”
“Yeah,” Eric seconded. “Kicking alien ass is so five minutes ago. Who wants to go through all that?” He looked at his three best friends in feigned confusion. “Anyone?”
Darryl grinned, folding his arms on his chest. “And we're just fiiine with you running off starting a war without us. Sure.”
John grunted. “The vote is in. Looks like you're shit out of luck, Boss.”
Bethany Anne looked around at them all with narrowed eyes. “Very funny, but this isn't the time for jokes.” She relaxed her grip on John's hand. “We could be away for some time.”
John eased her forgotten hand down to the table. “When do we leave?”
She snorted gently and got to her feet. “Any day now, so be prepared.”
John inclined his head a fraction. “Like a Boy Scout,” he promised.
“Wait, what?” Scott almost dropped the drink he'd just picked up as he whipped his head in John’s direction. “Ass, you were never a Boy Scout.”
“How would you know?” John countered. He pointed at Scott's shirt. “You spilled something there.”
Bethany Anne saw the ghost of a smile flirt with the idea of appearing on John's face when Scott looked down at himself.
The internal alarm Bethany Anne had set warned her that it was time to get home.
She turned to leave. “As much as I'd love to stay and hang out with you guys, I'm going to be late for dinner.”
“What's on the menu tonight?” John asked.
Bethany Anne made a face over her shoulder as she walked to the rec room door. “Humble pie. Probably with a generous helping of ‘I told you so.’”
With that, she disappeared.
Chapter Six
QT2 System, QBBS Helena, Station Manager’s Office
Giselle Foxton-Thomas strode into her office and waved a hand over her desk to activate the holoscreen. “Call my mother,” she instructed, feeling none of the assertiveness she heard in her tone.
Helena Foxton appeared on the holoscreen a few moments later. Giselle smoothed her dark blue button-down self-consciously as she waited for the connection to stabilize. “How are you, Mother?”
Helena’s eyes crinkled with joy. “All the better for seeing you, my dear. So, Bunny, are you looking forward to my arrival?”
Giselle repressed the urge to make a face at her childhood nickname. “That’s what I’m calling about, Mother. The announcement went out early this afternoon; we are officially at war. The Queen is on her way to take command of the fleet. I think it might be safer for you to stay in Federation territory.”
Helena snorted elegantly. “I think not, Bunny. You forget I was a journalist during the final years of the Leath War. You’ve seen holovid of some of the absolute cesspits I stayed in. I will manage perfectly adequately on the comparative luxury of a Queen’s battle station.”
Giselle smiled. “Good old Mother. I can always rely on you.”
“Less of the old,” her mother retorted. “I only had rejuvenation therapy fifteen years ago. I’m practically a spring chicken.” Helena arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “Now, I’m sure you have enough to do without being on an endless call to me.”
Giselle’s mouth quirked. “I wasn’t going to say that, but you were always straight to the point.”
Helena tilted her chin. “I should hope so. But go on with your day, Bunny. I will see you in person very soon.”
“Love you, Mother,” Giselle called just as Helena cut the connection. She smiled and gestured for her keyboard to appear.
A portion of Giselle’s thoughts remained on Helena as she worked through the never-ending administrative tasks for the station. Most of them were minor things to be passed on and dealt with by the relevant manager or operator. The ones that remained were the problems no one else could solve.
No one but her. Giselle enjoyed the challenges that crossed her desk. Her work provided the release her sharp mind needed, which made it much easier to be at home with the children. She loved her family incredibly, but there was only so much mental stimulation to be had from three under-fives and a husband whose first responsibility (rightly) lay with his command.
Between her job and the demands of taking care of the children, it was going to get pretty lonely around here when her husband left with Bethany Anne.
Maybe it wasn’t too late to become friends with her mother.
Three grandchildren and a space station named after her should go some way toward laying a foundation.
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Inner Courtyard
Bethany Anne arrived home at last and walked the last few paces across the softly-lit courtyard instead of slipping through the Etheric again.
She thought she might have missed dinner after all until she opened the front door and smelled goulash. “I'm home!” she called.
“We know!” came the chorus from the living area.
“I know you know,” she finished their little ritual with a contented smile, walking through to find her world gathered around the kitchen side of the island.
Michael turned to Bethany Anne with everything he had to say written in his eyes. “Good to have you home.”
Bethany Anne blew him a kiss and spread her arms wide. “It’s good to be home. Now, what do I have to do to get some love around here?” Her stomach let out a loud growl.
She sniffed delicately as she wrapped an arm around each of her children. “And some dinner?”
“I’m with Mom,” Gabriel agreed.
Alexis rolled her eyes at her brother. “That’s not surprising. You’re with whoever has the food.”
Michael chortled quietly. “I have the food. We will eat when we
have somewhere to sit.” He waved his spoon at the twins, then at the table. “Let your mom get in. You can both make yourselves useful while you wait.”
Alexis and Gabriel got to setting the table, while Bethany Anne went around the island into the kitchen and took out four deep bowls from the bottom cupboard.
She lined them up on the counter by the stove for Michael to fill. No more waiting. I got the weekly report in from QT2, and we’re ready.
Michael nodded once and sharply. Then it is time to make your decision, Bethany Anne. You know where I stand, but we need to be in agreement.
Bethany Anne forestalled him with a look. I’ve made my decision. Alexis and Gabriel are coming with us, providing they want to and they understand what it is they’re asking for.
Michael nodded and moved on to the next bowl. I would also insist they continue their training. They still have a lot to learn.
Bethany Anne picked up two of the bowls and headed for the table. Of course. I was getting to that. I’m leaving for QT2 in the morning. I want you to prepare Alexis and Gabriel and join me there before the fleet departs.
Michael turned to drop his ladle in the sink and followed her with the other two bowls. Which will be when, exactly?
Bethany Anne pressed her lips together. If I listen to Bart, seven days. Qui’nan tells me five.
Michael smirked as he put the bowls down on the table. So we’re going to leave in three days?
Bethany Anne snickered. If only. If it was just me, I’d be halfway there already. You know that. She felt a gentle probing at the edge of her consciousness. One moment. Our daughter is trying to eavesdrop.
Wait, Michael urged. We have a teachable moment here.
Bethany Anne met his eyes with a matching twinkle in her own. She created an almost imperceptible gap, just big enough for Alexis to sneak through. I don’t know how Barnabas will feel about being responsible for two teenagers…but maybe a few years with him will teach Alexis how to listen in on our conversations without getting caught.
They heard a tiny mental squeak and Alexis withdrew.
Bethany Anne gave Alexis a stern look across the table as she took her seat. “Serves you right for eavesdropping.”
Alexis had the good grace to look ashamed. “Sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm.”
“How did your day go, Mom?” Gabriel inquired once the four of them were seated and had begun eating.
Bethany Anne reached for the breadbasket. “It went easier than I expected. Tabitha and Peter were glad to stay behind, and John and Jean were fine about spending some time away from each other. The guys—that went about as expected, too.”
Michael read the words she wasn’t saying. “Which made it all the more difficult.”
Bethany Anne looked into her bowl as she dipped a piece of her roll. “Something like that.” She smiled at them all and popped the bread into her mouth.
Alexis spoke up. “Why is it more difficult? Surely if everyone is happy, then that makes it easier.” She turned to snag a roll from the breadbasket before Bethany Anne passed it to Michael.
“I don’t get it, either,” Gabriel chipped in, spearing a chunk of meat on the end of his fork. “Is it because you want to take everyone with you but you can’t?”
Bethany Anne nodded. “Again, my children amaze me.” She passed Michael the basket “Are you going to miss Tabitha and Peter when they leave for Devon?”
“Not really,” Alexis told her. “Aunt Tabbie won’t leave us for real.”
“We will still be able to see her and Uncle Pete in the game world whenever we want,” Gabriel explained.
“You do realize that there will be very little time for them to spend in the Vid-docs?” Michael clarified. “This is not a scenario in the game, children. We do not have a set list of objectives to complete in order to win against the Ooken.”
Alexis sighed. “We didn’t think it was going to be anything like that, Dad. War isn’t a game when real lives are involved. I’m happy Aunt Tabbie is staying behind. Then she will be relatively safe, and so will Uncle Pete and Todd.” She shrugged. “We will find some time to spend together, and that will be enough until we are reunited.”
Bethany Anne chewed her bread thoughtfully. “Jokes about your Uncle Barnabas aside, do you understand what coming with us would entail?” She paused, waiting for Michael to confirm what she already knew.
Alexis and Gabriel shared a long look, then nodded and turned back to their parents with identical serious expressions.
“We think we do,” Alexis told them truthfully. “But we can’t know for sure until we experience it for real.”
“We understand that we can’t fight yet,” Gabriel continued, “but we can contribute in other ways.”
Can you believe them? Michael asked. I know we raised them this way, but for children to actually turn out the way you planned is quite rare, you know.
Bethany Anne laughed lightly in his mind. Hold that thought. They’ve been pretty sheltered so far. There’s still plenty of time for them to rebel, my love, She became serious a moment. But believe me, I know how much we lucked out with them. You never met Lilian’s daughter.
Michael’s amusement trickled through in his voice. Hellion, was she?
Bethany Anne mopped up the last bit of her sauce with the remainder of her bread roll. You have no idea. Like I said, we’re fucking lucky. She paused with the bread halfway between the bowl and her mouth to put Alexis and Gabriel out of their agony.
The twins were practically bouncing in their seats in anticipation of her decision, knowing she was the only thing between them and their hopes of seeing some of the galaxy.
Bethany Anne waved the piece of bread. “You can come with us.”
Alexis and Gabriel jumped up and ran over to hug her.
“You’re the best, Mom!” Gabriel exclaimed, squeezing her tightly.
Alexis grabbed her from the other side, pressing her cheek to Bethany Anne's. “Thank you, Mom. We won’t let you and Dad down.”
Bethany Anne laughed and kissed them on their foreheads. “I should hope you do so at least once, or you’re not living. For now, that mindset works just fine. You’re good kids, and we believe you’re mature enough that you don’t have to stay home.”
“Your mother and I couldn’t be prouder of the people you are becoming,” Michael told them. “In fact, I’m even going to release you from your chores tonight. We begin packing up the house tomorrow, so enjoy your free time.”
Gabriel ducked out of Bethany Anne's arms. “Cool! I didn’t think I’d get any time to draw today.”
Alexis’ reaction was a touch more extreme. She released Bethany Anne and whirled to grab Michael’s arm. “Tomorrow? Oh, no, I need longer than that. Details, Dad. What is our exact departure date, and who is coming with us? Which ship will we take? Is there a limit to how much of our stuff we can take with us?” Her eyes widened. “Please tell me we can take Phyrro with us. I couldn’t bear it if we had to leave him behind.”
Michael shook his head and gently turned Alexis toward the door by her shoulders. “Tomorrow. Don’t you have something you’ve been waiting to read?”
Alexis nodded somewhat sullenly. “Yes, Dad.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Come on, Alexis, before you earn us chores instead of free time.” He turned to Bethany Anne and Michael. “Night!”
Alexis allowed her brother to lead her from the room. “Night, Mom. Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, children,” Michael replied with a smile. “Sleep well.”
Bethany Anne blew them each a kiss. “Goodnight, my loves. I’ll see you both in a few days.”
Bethany Anne and Michael cleared the dinner things away and headed to bed. She yawned and leaned into him as they walked down the corridor to their bedroom. What an absolute bitch of a day. If I had one ounce of energy left, I'd float to bed.
Michael held her a little bit closer. I could always carry
you, he offered. Or turn us both to Myst.
Bethany Anne chuckled. I would even allow you to do that if we weren’t five steps from the door.
When they walked into the bedroom, Bethany Anne headed straight for the bed and sat down on the edge. She crossed one leg over the other to remove her shoe while Michael slipped his off by the door.
Bethany Anne looked up when Michael walked past her into the bathroom with his shirt in his hand. Are we doing the right thing? Really?
We’re doing what we believe to be right, Michael agreed. There was the soft sound of his pants hitting the laundry basket, followed by running water. As all parents have done since the dawn of humanity. Alexis and Gabriel are living proof we are succeeding.
Bethany Anne pressed her lips together. I hate when you’re right. It’s been happening far too often for my liking. She sighed and yawned again as the shoe finally came undone. Did I ever work out how to take my clothes off using the Etheric? I’m too tired to remember.
Michael chuckled dryly in her mind. I don’t know, my love, he replied. But I suggest you work it out quickly. The water is wonderfully hot.
She switched legs and started on the fastener on the other shoe. I'll be two seconds.
Devon, First City, The Hexagon, Network Command Center
Sabine tapped her foot, waiting for Mark to make some progress on locating K'aia. It had been almost an hour since the orphan Yollin had made Sabine’s drone and slipped it.
Mark turned in his chair to look pointedly at her. “That's not going to make it happen any faster.” He ran his hand through his hair to get it out of his eyes. “At least we have images of her to search by. It’s taking Winstanley and me some time to search the city, because our satellites were built at least a thousand years before Michael was born.”
Sabine put her hands on her hips and tapped louder. “You’re joking.”
“Barely.” Mark shrugged. “But we are getting there, and from what you and Ricole have told me, this Yollin is pretty good at taking care of herself.”
The Kurtherian Endgame Boxed Set Page 78